“Letter Edged in Black” by Vernon Dalhart (1925)

Vernon Dalhart (Al Craver) 1925

In 1926, following a visit to the English countryside, Henrietta left behind a 78 rpm record with a new hillbilly feud song on one side and a ballad about death and loss on the other. Her close friend, Bloomsbury novelist David “Bunny” Garnett described playing it on his victrola over and over in Henrietta’s absence. Texas-born Dalhart is considered an early influence on American country music.